Perhaps it’s because Mother’s Day does not emanate the same essence of its lustful partner, Valentine’s Day. Perhaps you’ve just come home from work via the delayed E train and little Billy has decided that pizza is no longer his favorite food and the last love note you received from your partner was through Twitter. For mothers with ambitious careers and active social lives, the perfect Mother’s Day might just consist of a high-quality foot rub and a few moments of repose. If you’re looking for something a little more fun, rewarding and dare I say it – sexy, try any of these family-friendly dates for the special day.

Idea No. 1: Dirty Dancin’ at Baby Loves DiscoMay 2nd, 2-5 PM, Southpaw, 125 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217
$12 Advance, $15 Door Admission, http://www.babylovesdisco.com/locations/brooklyn
This event, albeit ten full days before May 10th, can serve as a fun preamble to M-Day. Baby Loves Disco is a monthly event housed at Southpaw in the heart of Park Slope in Brooklyn. Hosted by Brooklyn mommy Heather Murphy Monteith, the event caters to both couples and their tots. Do not worry: you will not hear one single version of “Baby Beluga” or any other children’s classic. Monteith has enlisted real (yes, REAL) DJs to provide enough sound material to have your booty shakin’ all the way from the dance floor to the bedroom (during junior’s nap, of course). Additionally, Baby Loves Disco provides more playscapes than your local McDonald’s with a bubble machine, diaper station, healthy snacks and more. Best part? Mommy and daddy may enjoy adult beverages as well as interact with other parents. As Monteith states, “Make no mistake; this is not the Mickey Mouse Club, and Barney is banned.”

Idea No. 2: Crusin’Staten Island Ferry, Lower Manhattan, 4 or 5 to Bowling Green, R or W to Whitehall
Free of Cost, http://www.siferry.com
Mother’s Day cruises have always been a gold mine for travel agencies and websites. With our current recession/depression/holy-crap-my-401K-just-became-a-201K, even the abundant bargains are still most likely out of reach. However, most people neglect the fact that there is a way to cruise the expansive seas (OK, the Hudson) without so much as dropping a dime. Yes, my friends, I am talking about the Staten Island Ferry. You may ask, “What makes riding something as old as the Lusitania sexy and family friendly?” Here is where it is necessary to expand your imagination. At home, have the children assist in making a picnic lunch. Pack some Sunny D and pick up some beer. Let the kid(s) ooh and ahh over important historical landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty while you and your significant other feed each other fruit. If you can arrange to go at sundown, you’ll be in for an extra treat.

Idea No. 3: Off-off-off- BroadwayMay 10th, 12 PM, The Broadway Boys at Joes Pub, 425 Lafayette Street, NY, NY 10003
$15 Advance, $20 Door Admission, http://www.joespub.com, (212) 539-8778
Joe’s Pub, conveniently located in Astor Place, has a reputation for being family friendly. On Mother’s Day, Joe’s hosts Broadway Boys, a musical group that infuses popular theater music with pop, gospel, funk and jazz, creating what people have called a “symphony of sound.” For $20, or approximately one-bazillionth of what you would pay for an actual Broadway ticket, you can see the highlighted music of several quality shows performed in a new, redefined way. Plus, with the purchase of a ticket, Joe’s will throw in a free year-long subscription to New York Magazine. You can’t go wrong with that.

Idea No. 4: Canoe Be More Romantic?!Loeb Boathouse, Hours: 10-5 PM, East Side b/w 74th and 75th Street, NY, NY$10 first hour plus $2.50 per each add. 15 mins, $30 cash deposit, 4 people per boat
Living in a city means we often have to forgo important recreational activities that can benefit a child’s well-being. In a city where you can almost see the big dipper if you squint really hard on a very clear night, it is important to take advantage of whatever outdoor activities you can find. At the Loeb Boathouse, children will love the opportunity to do something very un-New York. Pack some snacks, strap on your life vests and admire your SO’s strong forearms as he paddles the family along.

Idea No. 5 Get Schooled at P.S.1P.S.1, Hours: 12-6 PM, 22-25 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101http://www.ps1.org, (718) 784-2084
For the brave folks who dare to cross the great divide to the often-overlooked borough of Queens, it is imperative that P.S.1 become a frequented destination. A schoolhouse-turned-nonprofit art space, P.S.1 is a Museum of Modern Art affiliate. It houses contemporary art and in an interactive, family-friendly, environment. Exhibits such as Leandro Erlich’s “Swimming Pool,” will amuse children with their rushing jets of water surrounded by expertise masonry. Long-tem exhibits include mobiles, tactile surfaces, and interactive videos. Afterwards, head over to nearby Astoria and share some delicious Greek food.